Effective coordination between cells through cell communication and signaling enables multicellular organisms to develop and survive. Conversely, aberrations in these pathways are at the heart of a wide variety of human diseases. In this seminar course, we will discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cell communication using a series of human diseases as a framework. The course will introduce postbac and advanced undergraduate students to the fundamental principles of cell signaling and will explore current questions of interest to the field. The synergistic nature of research directed at understanding basic cell biology, development and physiology with research aimed at elucidation and control of specific human ailments will be emphasized. The course will be comprised of a combination of introductory lectures and extensive discussion of primary literature. Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of cell biology, biochemistry and cell structure. BIOL 211 and 203 are recommended pre-requisites.

General principles of biology focusing on the basic chemistry of life, cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics in all types of living organisms. Particular emphasis will be given to links between the fundamental processes covered and current challenges of humankind in the areas of energy, food, and health. (3 hrs. lec., 3 hrs. lab, 1.5 c.u.) Biology majors and pre-medical students should take either BIOL 101 or 121. BIOL 101 is the companion course to BIOL 102 and should be taken before BIOL 102.

Integrative seminar on current biological research for first-year PhD students.

Advanced version of BIOL 375: Microbial Diversity and Pathogenesis for graduate students only. Additional readings and course work as directed.

Introductory computational biology course designed for both biology students and computer science, engineering students. The course will cover fundamentals of algorithms, statistics, and mathematics as applied to biological problems. In particular, emphasis will be given to biological problem modeling and understanding the algorithms and mathematical procedures at the "pencil and paper" level. That is, practical implementation of the algorithms is not taught but principles of the algorithms are covered using small sized examples. Topics to be covered are: genome annotation and string algorithms, pattern search and statistical learning, molecular evolution and phylogenetics, functional genomics and systems level analysis. Prerequisite: College level introductory biology required; undergraduate or graduate level statistics taken previously or concurrently required; molecular biology and/or genetics encouraged; programming experience encouraged

This course will survey the discipline of molecular genetics. Two broad areas will be considered: 1) Molecular biology: DNA replication, transcription, translation, and the regulation of gene expression in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems and genomics and 2) Genetics: basic Mendelian & molecular genetics.

This course will survey the discipline of molecular genetics. Two broad areas will be considered: 1) Molecular biology: DNA replication, transcription, translation, and the regulation of gene expression in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems and genomics and 2) Genetics: basic Mendelian & molecular genetics.

This course will survey the discipline of molecular genetics. Two broad areas will be considered: 1) Molecular biology: DNA replication, transcription, translation, and the regulation of gene expression in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems and genomics and 2) Genetics: basic Mendelian & molecular genetics.

Cytoskeleton and cell motility plays a crucial role in many aspects of normal and pathological physiology of individual cells, tissues, and whole organisms, including morphogenesis, immune response, wound healing, oncogenesis, and infection. This course will cover current topics in cell biology with emphasis on cytoskeleton and cell motility and their roles in these processes. Lectures, student presentations, and discussions in the class will be based on primary scientific literature.